Hounds Defense Crumbles in 3-0 Loss at Louisville #LOUvPGH

LOUISVILLE CITY 3RIVERHOUNDS 0

It was a rough night for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, as they lost 3-0 to Louisville City FC for its worst defeat of the season.

With the loss, the Hounds (4-6-4, 16 points) extended its win-less streak to five games, as goalkeeper Trey Mitchell was under pressure all night as the Louisville attack generated 22 shots (7 on target).

Cameron Lancaster scored in the early moments, on a free kick from more than 30 yards out, drilling a shot into the left side of goal where it appeared Mitchell and Hounds forward Corey Hertzog, who was guarding goal, both couldn’t react quick enough to stop the shot.

Although the Hounds made a few dangerous advances into the final third near the end of the first half, including a terrific redirected header by Hertzog that Louisville goalkeeper Greg Rantisingh made a diving save to turn away Pittsburgh’s best chance.

The Hounds depleted back line that started Gale Agbossoumounde for the first time since the second game of the season, and had to replace Ritchie Duffie with Ben Fitzpatrick prior to game time, would concede two more second half goals.

Brian Ownby made a move on the left end line past Jamal Jack, then found Lancaster on a nice cut-back pass for an easy finish in the goal box in the 53rd minute. Louisville City capped off a three-goal night as a couple of subs hooked up for the last goal. Richard Ballard made a nice run, taking a number of touches along the edge of the box, then he found Niall McCabe unmarked on the right side. After Hounds Jack Thompson came in late to disrupt a shot attempt but fell, McCabe calmly drilled a shot into the back of the net.

To make matters worse, Taylor Washington was booked for a hard challenge on Lancaster. It was Washington’s fifth yellow card of the season. He will now have to sit out the next game per USL rules.

The Hounds return to Pittsburgh on Thursday to host second place Tampa Bay Rowdies at Highmark Stadium. It will be the first time the Hounds will face Tampa in league play. The two franchises met in 2015 in the U.S. Open Cup, as Pittsburgh took the win as Rob Vincent scored in the 90th minute to help the Hounds advance to the 4th Round.